NADAL AND FERRER WIN

Second-ranked Rafael Nadal overcame a sluggish start to beat Richard Gasquet 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 Sunday in the opening match of the season-ending Masters Cup.

	Spain's Rafael Nadal, above, joined compatriot David Ferrer as early winners Sunday during the first day of the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Third-ranked Novak Djokovic was broken in the first game and never recovered, falling to No. 6 David Ferrer of Spain 6-4, 6-4 in the other Gold Group round-robin match.

The tournament features the top eight men's singles players and doubles pairs. Nadal looked uncharacteristically slow and subdued.

Even though both of his knees were taped, Nadal claimed he was feeling "perfect".

Ferrer never let up after getting the early break against the 20-year-old Djokovic, who won five ATP titles this year and reached his first Grand Slam final, losing in the U.S. Open to top-ranked Roger Federer. "

Federer, the defending champion, and the rest of the Red Group open play Monday at 15,000-seat Qi Zhong Tennis Stadium.